Pep Guardiola has expressed regret over his confrontation with a camera operator following Manchester City’s 2-1 loss to Newcastle United on Saturday. The City manager admitted to feeling embarrassed and ashamed after the incident, which occurred at full time on the St James’ Park pitch.
Guardiola, visibly upset after the defeat, was seen engaging in heated discussions with referee Sam Barrott and Newcastle’s Bruno Guimarães, while also handling the headphones of a camera operator. He later apologised, stating: “I apologised after one second to the cameraman. I am who I am. After 1,000 games I’m not a perfect person, I make huge mistakes.”
The defeat leaves City third in the Premier League, seven points behind leaders Arsenal, after their fourth league loss of the season. Guardiola acknowledged the need for improvement, saying: “Losing four games out of 12 we have to improve a lot. Mathematically, it’s possible to win everything.” However, he dismissed talk of a quadruple, noting that he had never discussed it even when City won it in December.
Regarding his exchange with Guimarães, Guardiola described it as a normal interaction: “We have known Bruno for many years and every time after the game, even at the Etihad, we talk in the tunnel or wherever. Our paths always cross and I always have a good relationship with him. I love it. I’m an emotional guy.” He added that he would have no issue with an opposition manager speaking to his players post-match, provided it was done with respect.
City were unhappy that neither Barrott nor video assistant referee Craig Pawson awarded a penalty for a Fabian Schär challenge on Phil Foden, and also questioned whether Guimarães was offside when Harvey Barnes scored the winner. Later pictures showed the Brazilian was onside. Guardiola will take charge of his 100th Champions League game against Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday, with City on 10 points from four league-phase matches.
